Meet Santa Valdez, the new owner of Quality Shoe Repair in Bay City

Earlier this year, I was excited to tell you about a change in ownership at a downtown Bay City business that has, over the years, become a bit of an institution.

This week, I’m happy to report that Quality Shoe Repair, 818 Saginaw St., does have a new owner, just not the one I originally told you about.

Shortly after I wrote about the shop and its retiring owner Ramiro Facundo in early April, the business did change hands. I had told you that a builder and handyman from Midland named Doug Ward was busy training to take the reins.

I was passing by the shop this week and decided to stop in to say hello to Doug and see how things were going.

Upon entering I met Santa Valdez, who introduced himself to me as the new owner of the shop. After a bit of confusion on both sides, Santa told me that Mr. Ward never ended up buying the business.

Valdez, 54, said he has worked as a cobbler for 30 years, the last 25 for a shoe repair business in Chicago. His brother, Jesus Valdez, owns Ann Arbor Shoe Repair. Santa said he had visited Ann Arbor but never Bay City until he purchased Quality Shoe Repair.

“I came to visit the Bay City store and thought this was a good opportunity for me to own my own business,” said Santa Valdez. “I took over in April and I love Bay City.”

One of 14 children, Santa said the art of shoe repair runs in his family and he’s looking forward to working with his customers.

“Without customers, I cannot be a good cobbler,” he said. “I will always be willing to do what their ideas are. I have the ability to do any type of repair or any work they need done.”

Santa said he’s already heard whispers around town that folks are happy he took over the business.

“People are very happy, very excited,” he said. “Some people just walk in to thank me for keeping the doors open. This shoe repair shop is part of Bay City’s history. It’s important to people.”

The deal to purchase the shop was facilitated by Art Clark, a sales representative for Ruby Leather who has called on Quality Shoe Repair for decades. Clark said had the business closed, he’d have one less customer.

Clark first contacted Jesus Valdez — another one of his customers — and eventually was put in contact with Santa.

“I didn’t even know Jesus had a brother in the business,” said Clark. “They’re all good shoemakers.”

Santa Valdez said he isn’t planning any major changes to the shop, but would eventually like to start a mentorship program to train a new generation of cobblers.

“All of the knowledge we have has to be left to someone to keep the shoe repair business alive,” he said.

Quality Shoe Repair is open from 8:30 a.m. 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.